Wedding preparations in the Singh and Shekhawat families were in full swing. The air buzzed with excitement, as everyone busied themselves with endless tasks. Amidst the chaos, a sense of joy lingered, even if unspoken tensions brewed beneath the surface.
Anjali and Anushka accompanied Sanyukta for shopping. What started as casual outings soon blossomed into a genuine bond between the three.
Their laughter echoed through bustling markets, and with each shared moment, Sanyukta felt a glimmer of happiness she hadn't experienced in years.
Meanwhile, Pratap and Pushpa found themselves forced to give in to their son's stubbornness . Ranvijay's resolve to marry Sanyukta was something even their protests couldn't shake.
Sanyukta had always dreamed of a simple, intimate wedding. Yet, the Shekhawat family insisted on grandeur, wanting the occasion to reflect their status. Sanyukta hesitated but didn't protest, knowing it wasn't just her wishes that mattered anymore.
Ranvijay, fully aware of the financial disparity between the two families, carefully chose a wedding venue that balanced elegance with affordability. It was his way of protecting Sanyukta's family from undue stress. Yet, her brothers, Sudheer and Pankaj, stood resolute. "Yeh shaadi humari izzat ka sawal hai, Ranvijay. Hum apne hisse ka sab kuch karenge. " Sudheer said firmly, his tone unwavering.
Sanyukta's two bhabhis were clearly unhappy about how much the family was spending on her second wedding.
Sanyukta even offered her savings, urging her brothers not to refuse them. Sudheer, her elder brother, refused outright, but their mother, understanding the whole situation, asked them to let Sanyukta contribute.
Over the past three weeks, Ranvijay's bond with Avu had grown stronger in ways no one had anticipated. The little boy, once shy and hesitant, now waited eagerly for his father's calls.
No matter how hectic his day was, Ranvijay never failed to make time for Avu. The joy in Avu's voice during their conversations made every effort worthwhile.
Sanyukta often found herself watching them with a mix of gratitude and quiet contentment.
It was as if a missing piece of Avu's life had finally fallen into place. Slowly, unknowingly, she began letting Ranvijay into her own life too. The walls she had built around herself started to crumble.
She began sharing her thoughts with him, something she hadn't done with anyone in years. With Ranvijay, she rediscovered pieces of herself-the cheerful, talkative, and hopeful Sanyukta that she thought had vanished forever.
Even Ranvijay, who had agreed to the marriage for practical reasons, found himself drawn to Sanyukta and Avu in ways he hadn't expected. His day felt incomplete without speaking to them.
Pushpa, however, watched these changes in her son with growing unease. Her once-distant son, who avoided family matters, was now going out of his way for Sanyukta and her son.
She couldn't shake the belief that Sanyukta was manipulating Ranvijay. "Woh ladki mera beta mujhse door kar rahi hai," she muttered to herself often, her resentment deepening with each passing day.
She saw every gesture of Ranvijay's-every phone call, every dinner outing, every visit-as proof of Sanyukta's influence. For her, Sanyukta was not just taking her son but replacing her place in his life.
Relatives began arriving for the wedding. Arnav, Kirti, and Roshini Devi were among the first to reach. Roshini, much like Pushpa, disapproved of Ranvijay's decision but remained silent, as the alliance had already been finalized by the elders.
Finally, both families gathered at Hotel Radisson Blu for the three-day wedding celebrations. Despite the financial challenges, Ranvijay had carefully planned everything.
He had managed to convince Sanyukta's brothers to pay only for the wedding day, taking it upon himself to cover the expenses for the other two days. It was his way of ensuring that the Singh family didn't feel burdened.
Sangeet Function
Ranvijay's cousins and the younger generation were buzzing with excitement, keen to hold a combined Sangeet function. However, his mother, Pushpa, and bua had other ideas-they insisted on separate functions for the groom and bride.
"Maa... aise toh maza hi nahi aayega!" Anushka whined, her pout rivaling that of a five-year-old. "Humne toh groom vs bride ka dance competition rakha tha!"
Roshni wasn't one to be swayed easily. "Kuch riti-riwaz bhi hote hain, Anu... sab cheezein maza-masti ke liye nahi hoti." Her voice was firm but calm, making Anushka sigh dramatically.
"But mumma, aaj kal sab log saath hi karte hain!" Kirti piped up, trying to back her sister. "Waise bhi, close relatives hi hain shaadi mein. It won't be fun like this!"
Ranveer, always the peacemaker, joined in. "Haan Bua, dono side ki families mila ke bas 50-60 log hi hain. Aur rahi baat tradition ki, toh haldi ka alag kar lenge. Problem solved."
Pushpa and Roshini exchanged glances, unimpressed. "Kar lo jisse jo karna hai!" Roshini scoffed, folding her arms. "Hum hi pagal hain jo is shaadi mein kuch suggest kar rahe hain. Aaj kal toh bado ki sunta hi kaun hai? Sab apni marzi ka karte hain." Her eyes darted to Ranvijay, who was sprawled on the couch, munching wafers, blissfully ignoring the brewing drama.
Ranvijay finally looked up, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Areyyyy Bua ji... kya baat kar rahi hain aap? Kaun hai jo bado ki nahi sunta? " I won't bear any disrespect to any elder!,"
He sat up straight, looking mock-serious. "Ab toh sabse badi Dadi hai... wahi batayengi kya karna hai. What say, Dadi?"
All eyes turned to Dadi, who, after hearing both sides, gave a sly smile. "Dono taraf ke suggestions sun ke, aur seeing what the majority wants... main youngsters ke saath jaungi! Aakhir modern zamana hai. Let them enjoy."
Cheers erupted from the younger lot, and Ranvijay grinned, standing up triumphantly. "Ab Dadi ka order final hai. Bado ki baat ka paalan kiya jaaye!" He threw a playful glance at his bua, who sighed heavily, clearly outnumbered.
Pushpa, however, wasn't as easily appeased. Her face was a portrait of disappointment as she stormed out. Ranvijay groaned internally and followed her.
"Maa... Pushpa darling... areyyyy, ruko na!" he called after her in a sing-song tone.
Pushpa spun around, her hands on her hips. "Ab kya hai? Ho gaya faisla. Jaao, khushi manao. Dekho tumhari Sanyukta ko koi pareshani toh nahi ho rahi. Kahi kuch chahiye toh nahi..." She tried to leave, but Ranvijay back-hugged her, grinning.
"Itna pyaar apni hone wali bahu se? You just made me emotional, Pushpa," he teased, planting a loud kiss on her cheek.
"Ranvijay... bohot kaam hai mujhe. Pareshan mat kar. Ja, yahan se!" she snapped, swatting him away.
"Pakka jaaun? Uske paas?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Pushpa glared at him. "Mujhse door hi reh!"
Chuckling, Ranvijay finally grew serious and made her sit on the couch. "Maa... sach batao. Kya woh ek chhote se bache ki maa hai, isliye dislike karti hain usse?" His voice was gentle, but his eyes held a challenge.
Pushpa sighed, avoiding his gaze. "Mere dislike karne ya na karne se kuch nahi badalne wala. Tune konsa mujhse pooch kar rishta kiya hai?"
"Poocha tha, but aap nahi maani," Ranvijay countered. "Agar aap mujhe ek solid reason de usse shaadi na karne ka, main abhi back out kar lunga. Except that rubbish ki woh single mother hai. Aap jaanti hain yeh baat mere liye matter nahi karti."
Pushpa looked at her son, her eyes softening slightly. "Jo main dekh sakti hoon, woh tu kabhi nahi dekh paayega. Tu andha ho chuka hai uske pyar mein."
Ranvijay almost laughed. If only she knew the truth. "Acha, aap hi bata dijiye, kya dikh raha hai aapko usme... bina usse ek baar mile?" He gently pressed her hands.
Before Ranvijay could say anything, his phone rang. The name flashing on the screen made him smile. It was Sanyukta.
"Jaa kar le baat... kuch important hi hoga," Pushpa said, trying to move away.
"Ruko aap," Ranvijay stopped her, gently making her sit back down. He picked up the call and casually put it on speaker.
"Dadyyyyyyyyy!" Avu's excited voice rang through the phone, immediately bringing a wide smile to Ranvijay's face.
"Yesss baby, kya hua?" he asked lovingly, while Pushpa sat there, keenly observing their interaction.
"Mummaaaa poolll mei nahiiii janeee de rahiiiiiiiiii," Avu complained cutely, making Ranvijay chuckle.
"Aise kaise nahi jaane de rahi? How can she stop my champ from swimming?" Ranvijay said, his playful tone making Avu giggle.
"Youuuu sayyy her," Avu demanded, and they heard the sound of shuffling on the other end as Avu ran to Sanyukta to hand over the phone.
"Mummaaaaa... Dadyyy," Avu called out one last time before Sanyukta's soft voice took over.
"Jiiii," she said, taking the call.
"Jaane do usse... kyu rok rahi ho?" Ranvijay said, his teasing tone making Sanyukta sigh.
"Bimar ho jaayega... thanda paani hai, aur akela kaise jaane du? Sab toh busy hain," she explained, concern evident in her voice.
"Mummaaaaa, plsssss!" Avu could be heard pleading with Sanyukta, his cute antics making Ranvijay chuckle again.
"Ranvijay, sab aapki galti hai!" Sanyukta said, a touch of exasperation in her tone. "You've spoiled him so much. Ab meri bilkul baat nahi sunta hai yeh. Har baat pe aapse shikayat lagane laga hai."
Ranvijay smirked. "Maa, aap Bunty ko bol do isko le jaaye ek baar poolside. Iska veham nikal jaayega. Nahi toh yeh mujhe kuch karne nahi dega,"Sanyukta turned to her mother. and they heard her mother agreeing before leaving with Avu.
"Theek hai, main baad mein baat karta hoon," Ranvijay said, ready to hang up, but Sanyukta interrupted him.
"Nahi, suniye... mujhe aapse kuch baat karni hai," she said, her voice slightly hesitant. Pushpa, sitting nearby, became even more curious to hear what Sanyukta wanted to discuss with her son.
"Bolo," Ranvijay replied, his tone more attentive now.
"Mujhe abhi pata laga ki function saath mein hi ho rahe hain, and I haven't met your parents yet," she began, her voice laced with nervousness. "Mujhe puchna tha... woh log khush toh hain na? Mujhe dar lag raha hai, actually," she admitted hesitantly.
Ranvijay glanced at his mother before responding. "Nahi, bilkul khush nahi hai. Infact, meri maa toh bohot zyada naraz hai. I would suggest ki unse door hi rehna," he said, a playful smirk on his face.
Pushpa's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at her son.
"Kya!!!" Sanyukta exclaimed, shocked. "Aapne toh bola tha sab theek hai... ekdum se kya ho gaya? Maa kyun naraz ho gayi?" Her bewilderment was clear, and it made Ranvijay laugh.
Pushpa, however, was more surprised to hear Sanyukta addressing her as "Maa."
"Ranvijay, meri jaan nikal di thi aapne! Main pehle hi pareshan hoon... aap kyun nahi serious lete cheezon ko?" Sanyukta complained, her frustration evident.
"You'll never understand what a girl goes through before her wedding. Upar se mera case toh aur bhi different hai..." Her voice softened as she continued. "It's my second marriage... and I'm a single mother too. Koi kuch na bhi bole toh bhi I can feel their judgment just by the way they look at me." Her voice broke, revealing the weight of her emotions.
"It's not at all easy," Sanyukta whispered, her vulnerability touching even Pushpa, who now felt guilty for judging the girl so harshly.
Ranvijay's voice softened as well. "Rona band karo ab," he said calmly, disliking the sound of her crying.
"Meri maa bohot achhi hai. She's way too kind to judge you. She knows ki divorcee hona aur single mother hona is not easy for a woman in our society," he said, deliberately looking at his mother, whose gaze faltered under the weight of his words.
"Stop worrying, and take care of Avu," Ranvijay said before ending the call.
He stood up and turned to his mother. "Maa, main chalta hoon. I have to take care of a few things," he said, leaving Pushpa deep in thought.
---
In the evening...
The stage was beautifully decorated with shimmering lights, and the glittering dance floor sparkled under their glow. The air was vibrant, filled with the buzz of chatter and laughter, while upbeat party music blasted from the speakers, lifting everyone's spirits.
Avu, surrounded by a group of kids, danced enthusiastically on the stage, his laughter blending perfectly with the joyous atmosphere. His tiny steps and carefree spins made everyone smile.
Meanwhile, Sanyukta gracefully moved around, greeting everyone from the Shekhawat family and touching the elders' feet.
"Khus raho," Pushpa said with a small smile, her demeanor softer than usual. She couldn't help but admire Sanyukta's natural elegance. The image of Anushka praising Sanyukta after the roka ceremony flashed in her mind, and for the first time, she began to truly notice the girl's charm.
Soon, everyone settled into their seats, with Sanyukta and Ranvijay sitting on the central couch.
Avu came running toward Ranvijay, climbing onto his lap with practiced ease. Ranvijay smiled and kissed his cheek lovingly, his bond with his son undeniable and heartwarming.
Anushka and Kirti, ever the lively duo, took charge of the stage, announcing the start of a dance competition between the groom's and bride's sides. Cheers erupted as participants got ready, and one by one, family and friends took to the stage.
Pooja, trying her best to impress, slipped mid-dance, falling dramatically on the stage. Laughter erupted from the audience, and even Pooja herself couldn't help but join in. She stepped off the stage with Sudheer, her face flushed with embarrassment but her spirit unbroken.
The performances continued, with Anjali and Ranveer teaming up to dance alongside Pankaj and Nisha, their moves in sync with the music.
Suddenly, Ranvijay's friends and cousins pulled him onto the stage. Sanyukta, sitting nearby, watched in surprise as Ranvijay joined them with ease, his energy infectious.
For a moment, he wasn't the mature father she knew but a carefree boy from his college days, dancing with abandon. The crowd cheered louder as he nailed each step with flair.
"Bhabhi , aa jao!" Anushka and Kirti seized the moment, pulling her onto the stage despite her protests.
"Nahi, please, rehne do," she pleaded, but they weren't about to let her off so easily.
"Wooohhhh... a couple dance, please!" the crowd hooted, their collective excitement putting Sanyukta on edge.
Her nerves showed as she hesitated. It had been years since she danced, and the idea of performing in front of so many people made her palms sweat. But seeing no way out, she finally gave in.
The lights dimmed slightly, and a nostalgic 90s song began to play.
Dilbara...🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶
Ranvijay extended his hand, pulling her gently toward him. His movements were confident and natural, leading her effortlessly across the floor.
Sanyukta's initial stiffness melted as she followed his lead, letting him guide her.
"Mujhe pata nahi tha aap itna acha dance kar lete hai," she whispered, a mix of admiration and surprise in her voice as he twirled her around, pulling her into a back hug.
"College time mein best dancer raha hoon," he replied with a smirk, spinning her again.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Ranvijay suddenly lifted her in his arms, her startled gasp followed by laughter.
He lip-synced the lyrics playfully, leaning in to nuzzle his nose against hers, making her blush and laugh at the same time.
As the song ended, Ranvijay gently let her down, their palms still joined as they stepped off the stage amidst loud applause.
They had their dinner, and little Avu, exhausted from all the running and dancing, fell asleep in Ranvijay's lap.
"It's already 12... tum jao, take rest. Idhar ab sab pi ke naachege," Ranvijay said, his tone light but firm. Sanyukta nodded, taking Avu with her as she left with the other women and elderly members of the family.
Back on the dance floor, Ranvijay, Ranveer, and their cousins stayed behind, joined by Sanyukta's brothers and cousins. Drinks were poured, laughter flowed, and the night stretched long as they danced without a care, reliving their carefree days.
---
The next day...
Most of the house slept late after the previous night's festivities, but little Avu was up bright and early, full of energy.
Sanyukta, however, had been busy since morning, getting her mehendi applied on her feet by an artist in her room. Avu, restless, crawled into her lap, his small hands tugging at her sari.
"Mummaaaaaa... Daddy ke paas jaana hai," he whined, pouting adorably.
"Baby, Daddy so rahe honge abhi. Uth jaayenge toh khud aapko lene aa jaayenge," she said, kissing his nose, but Avu wasn't convinced.
"Uthaaa do unkooo abhi!" he demanded, his persistence making Sanyukta chuckle.
"Acha, pehle yeh batao, Avu ne kal kya kya kiya? Dance bhi aata hai mere baby ko," she tried distracting him.
"Danccc, khanaaa khaya... Arviii diduuu sathhhh play kiya... Daddy sathhh danccc kiyaaa... mamuuu sathhh danccc kiyaaa," he narrated animatedly, his excitement lighting up her tired face.
"Mera baby toh big baby ho gaya hai. Itna acha dance karta hai!" Sanyukta kissed his face repeatedly, making him giggle.
"Daddy ke paas jaana hai!" he insisted again, refusing to let her off the hook.
Laughing at his antics, Sanyukta finally relented. "Achha, jao, bring my phone," she said, pointing to the side table. Avu jumped off her lap and fetched it eagerly.
Dialing Ranvijay's number, she held the phone to her ear, smirking as his groggy voice answered.
"Hmmmmm..."
"It's 2 in the afternoon, abhi tak so rahe hain aap?" she teased.
"Late soya tha kal," he muttered, making her chuckle.
"Avu aapke paas aana chahta hai. Mujhe mehendi lagwaani hai, aur ye mujhe bilkul aaram nahi karne de raha. Aap le jaayein isse," she said.
"Aata hoon," he replied, ending the call.
Sanyukta looked at Avu. "Go get your shoes! Daddy aa rahe hain," she said, and he darted off excitedly.
Ranvijay arrived soon after, stepping into the room casually. Sanyukta quickly grabbed her dupatta, covering her face, leaving him amused.
"Daddy!" Avu squealed, running to him.
Ranvijay picked Avu up, kissing him lovingly. "Kis khushi mein tumhari mumma apna muh chhupa rahi hai aaj?" he asked, glancing at Sanyukta, whose veiled face turned slightly away.
"Aap jaaiye... Maa ne kaha hai ki shaadi se pehle aap mujhe nahi dekh sakte," Sanyukta said, her voice soft but firm, though the smile hidden under her dupatta gave her away.
"Acha? Aisa kaha hai?" Ranvijay smirked, placing Avu down. "Phir toh pakka dekh ke hi jaunga ab tumhe," he teased, sitting on the bed beside her, completely unbothered.
"Please na... pareshan mat kijiye mujhe. Mere pair mein mehendi lagi hai... Aap jaaiye aur Avu ko bhi le jaaiye," she pleaded, trying to reason with him.
Ranvijay folded his arms, leaning slightly closer. "I'll go... par pehle dupatta toh hatao," he said, his mischievous tone making her more nervous.
"No! Main nahi hata rahi!" Sanyukta shot back, holding onto the dupatta tightly. "Baithiye yahin pe, bas!" she added, turning her back to him.
"Accha, aisi baat hai?" Ranvijay quirked a brow, his smirk widening. He turned to Avu. "Beta, jao apne toys leke aao," he said, distracting the little one.
As Avu ran off, excited to find his toys, Ranvijay seized the opportunity. He reached for her dupatta, and Sanyukta immediately grabbed his hand.
"Kya kar rahe hain aap?" she asked, her voice rising in protest as she tried to sit up.
Ranvijay, unfazed, held her wrists with one hand. Her green bangles jingled as she struggled. "Chup raho. Itna kya sharmaana?" he teased, his tone playful as he hovered over her.
"Ranvijay, rukhiye! Aap yeh-"
Before she could finish, Ranvijay tugged the dupatta away, revealing her flushed face and disheveled hair. She groaned in frustration, burying her face in a pillow to hide her embarrassment.
But the moment froze as the door creaked open.
Ranvijay's mother, his bua, Anjali, along with Sanyukta's mother and a few relatives, stood at the threshold, their eyes widening in shock at the scene before them.
Sanyukta's heart sank as she quickly covered her face again, her hands trembling with embarrassment.
Ranvijay, however, remained completely unfazed. He got up nonchalantly, brushing his kurta as if nothing had happened.
"Main toh bas Avu ko lene aaya tha," he said with a shrug, scooping Avu up in his arms. Without another word, he left the room, leaving Sanyukta to face the group alone.
Sanyukta's cheeks burned as she sat there, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her own mother glared at her silently, shaking her head in disapproval.
Pushpa, on the other hand, said nothing but placed the wedding dress and shagun items in front of Sanyukta before leaving the room with the others.
Once everyone had left, Sanyukta let out a shaky breath, her embarrassment quickly turning into irritation. "Sab aapki wajah se! Mujhe toh lagta hai aap meri zindagi ka mission hi mujhe pareshan karna hai," she muttered to herself, blaming Ranvijay for everything.
Later that night...
As the mehendi festivities continued, Sanyukta sat with the other women, getting the remaining mehendi applied to her hands. The chatter and laughter around her were comforting, helping her push aside the embarrassment from earlier.
The evening turned lively again as everyone began dancing. The beats of the dhol filled the air, and Sanyukta found herself smiling despite her earlier frustration.
That night, as Sanyukta lay on her bed, her hands resting carefully to avoid smudging her mehendi, her thoughts wandered to the next day.
Her wedding day.
A mix of emotions bubbled within her-nervousness, excitement, fear, and hope.
She closed her eyes, picturing Avu's innocent smile and Ranvijay's mischievous smirk. Her lips curved into a small smile as she drifted off to sleep, knowing tomorrow would change her life forever.
Wedding tonight.....ready rehna sab ... 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳😜😜😜😜
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